State's primary is this Tuesday; ballot to include referendum questions and school budget validation

Thursday

Jun 3, 2010 at 3:15 AMJun 3, 2010 at 10:12 AM

By Ellen W. ToddSanford News Writer

SANFORD — Next Tuesday, June 8, is Maine's primary and referendum election.

Voters who are enrolled in a party are encouraged to participate in the primary election, which will determine each party's candidates for the general election in November.

All voters, whether or not they are enrolled in a party, may participate in the referendum election, which is a separate ballot. Sanford voters will also have a local referendum ballot which includes a vote to validate the school budget approved at town meeting, a vote on whether or not they want to continue the school budget referendum process and a question on whether or not a new charter commission shall be established.

Because it is a primary election, there are different ballots for the Democratic, Green Independent and Republican parties.

Voters enrolled in the Democratic Party will have a choice of four candidates to represent the party in the race for governor. They are: Patrick K. McGowan, of Hallowell, Elizabeth H. Mitchell, of Vassalboro, G. Steven Rowe, of Portland, and Rosa W. Scarcelli, of Portland. Also on the ballot is John G. Richardson, but Richardson has withdrawn from the race.

Incumbent Chellie Pingree, of North Haven, is the only Democratic candidate on the ballot for Representative to Congress from Maine District 1.

Robert G. Stackpole, of Sanford, is the only Democratic candidate for State Senator from District 3.

Running to represent the Democratic Party for State Representative are incumbents Andrea M. Boland, in District 142, and John L. Tuttle Jr., in District 143. Larissa L. Crockett of Acton will appear on the ballot to represent District 144, but she has withdrawn from the race.

Also running for the Democratic nomination are Frank P. Wood, County Treasurer; Debra Lee Anderson, Register of Deeds; Mark W. Lawrence, District Attorney, and two candidates are vying for the nomination for York County Sheriff — Paul E. Main, of Alfred, and Maurice R. Ouellette, of Cornish.

There are no candidates running on the Green Independent Party ticket, however voters enrolled in the Green Party may cast a write-in vote.

Seven candidates are running for the Republican Party's nomination in the race for Maine's next governor. They are Steven W. Abbott, of Portland, William H. Beardsley, of Ellsworth, Matthew C. Jacobson, of Cumberland, Paul R. LePage, of Waterville, S. Peter Mills, of Cornville, Leslie B. Otten, of Greenwood, and Bruce Poliquin, of Georgetown.

Dean Peter Scontras, of Eliot, is the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination for Representative to Congress, District 1.

Jonathan T.E. Courtney, of Sanford, is the only Republican nominee for State Senator, District 3.

Running for the Republican nomination for State Representative, District 142, is Linda B. Gulnac; in District 143, Maura Anne Herlihy is running for the nomination, and in District 144 Joan M. Nass is running for the party's nomination.

Craig A. Gagne, of Sanford, is running for the Republican nomination for York County Sheriff. There are no other candidates for county office on the Republican ticket.

The five questions on the state referendum ballot include a People's Veto — Question 1 — which asks voters if they "want to reject the new law that lowers Maine's income tax and replaces that revenue by making changes to the sales tax?" The new tax law, which was passed by the state legislature last year and signed by the governor, would replace the current income tax structure with a flat rate of 6.5 percent (it is currently 8.5 percent for those who have a taxable income of more than $16,700). An income tax surcharge of 0.35 percent would be assessed on taxable income above $250,000.

The loss in income tax would be balanced by an expansion of the state's 5-percent sales tax to items such as entertainment and recreational services and to "installation, repair and maintenance services; personal property services, such as dry cleaning, laundry services, vehicle towing, moving, house cleaning, picture framing, and pet services."

The other four referendum questions are bond issues:

Question 2 asks if voters favor a $26,500,000 bond issue that will create jobs through investment in an off-shore wind energy demonstration site and related manufacturing. If approved, Maine would be eligible for $24,500,000 in federal and other funds and for energy improvements at campuses of the University of Maine System, Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy.

Question 3 is a $47,800,000 bond issue to create jobs in Maine through improvements to highways, railroads and marine facilities, including port and harbor structures.

Question 4 is a $23,750,000 bond issue to provide capital investment to stimulate economic development and job creation under the Communities for Maine's Future Program and in historic properties; providing funding for research and for qualifying small businesses, providing grants for food processing for fishing, agricultural, dairy and lumbering businesses in the State and redevelopment projects at the Brunswick Naval Air Station. If approved, the state would be eligible for over $39,000,000 in federal and other matching funds.

Question 5 is a $10,250,000 bond issue to improve water quality, support drinking water programs, to construct wastewater treatment facilities and to assist farmers in the development of environmentally sound water sources. If approved, it would leverage $33,250,000 in federal and other funds.

Where to vote

Polls for all Sanford wards will be open Tuesday, June, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are located as follows:

q Ward 1: Springvale Public Library, 443 Main St.

q Ward 2: The Sanford-Springvale YMCA, 1 Emile Levasseur Drive

q Ward 3: St. Ignatius Parish Hall, 25 Riverside Avenue

q Ward 4: Curtis Lake Christian Church, 38 Westview Drive

q Ward 5: Sanford-Springvale Fish and Game Association, 449 Country Club Road